Drug Trafficking

Jordan and Syria tout close ties, but border smuggling and strikes tell another story – analysis

A church attack in Karak, a Jordanian strike in southern Syria and a foiled 2 million-pill smuggling run have raised tensions in a region that also borders Israel’s Golan.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Mourners attend the funeral of four members of the same family, including three children, who were killed in a reported Jordanian airstrike in the town of Al-Mismiyah, in Syria's southern Daraa province, October 27, 2026.
ILLUSTRATIVE: POLICE ARREST suspect thought to have allowed illegal immigrants through border, November 30, 2025.

Known criminal serving as police agent aids in mass arrest of 28 drug traffickers across Israel

According to police, the reputation the agent had built in the criminal underworld allowed him to gain the trust of dealers and carry out dozens of controlled drug transactions.

|ByHODAYA RAN
Supporters of Venezuela's government rally to demand the release of ousted President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, two months after their capture by the US, in Caracas, Venezuela March 3, 2026.

Venezuela's Maduro to face new US charges over alleged torture of Americans, says official

Maduro and Flores were captured by the US military from their homes in Caracas on January 3 and brought to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

|ByREUTERS
Police personnel stand outside a closed lab following an advisory from the local authority to close shops and other establishments at Connaught Place in New Delhi on July 23, 2026.

Indian police detain Israeli for staying without valid travel documents following drug charges

Driham was dubbed an “Israeli drug baron” but was cleared after claiming that police had planted drugs. The arrest is an immigration-related detention rather than an arrest for a new drug offense.

|ByYOAV ETIEL

US Southern Command strike kills two alleged narco-terrorists in Eastern Pacific

"Confirmed intelligence revealed the vessel's active involvement in narco-trafficking. The operation killed two narco-terrorists," SOUTHCOM said in a post on X/Twitter.

AUGUST 24, 2026ByREUTERS
A US Navy aircrew member gives a thumbs-up inside an MV-22 Osprey aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) while the ship is moored in Honolulu, Hawaii, during Exercise RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) 2026 on July 17, 2026.

UN helped Iran expand anti-drug crackdown despite execution concerns

Iranian seizures of meth increased from 30,393 kilograms in 2022 to 40,453 kg. in 2025 with the help of the technology, according to the United Nations.

AUGUST 17, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
An Iranian policeman holds up a package of seized Afghan-made drugs during a media tour in the southeastern city of Zahedan, on July 19, 2011; illustrative

Israeli lawyer arrested after drugs disguised as eyelash remover arrive in cargo shipment

Police seized a range of additional substances from the lawyer's home that are suspected to be drugs, including more GHB, heroin, ecstasy, and other substances.

AUGUST 12, 2026ByMAYA ZANGER-SHAMIR
Illegal drugs and distribution equipment, pictured here, was seized from an Tel Aviv lawyer's apartment on August 11, 2026.

Israeli lawyer arrested after allegedly smuggling drugs to inmate during prison visit

According to the allegations, the lawyer arrived for a meeting with a prisoner she represents and attempted to hand over the suspected drugs during the meeting.

AUGUST 9, 2026ByMAARIV ONLINE, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Police at the scene of where a well-known lawyer was murdered in apparent targeted killing at Rishon Lezion office.

Israeli security forces bust alleged border smuggling ring, seize drone and arrest two

The two arrested individuals and the seized materials were transferred to the Segev Shalom station in the Southern District for further investigation by the Israel Police.

AUGUST 4, 2026ByMAYA ZANGER-SHAMIR, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Military Vehicle patroling. Border Police are stationed and patroling at the Harif Mountain area, at the border between Israel and Egypt.

IDF reservist indicted over stolen IDF rifle, drug ring that supplied soldiers

What began as an investigation into a stolen M16 evolved into a wider probe that uncovered an alleged drug trafficking network and implicated an IDF officer.

AUGUST 3, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A stash of cocaine discovered during a police investigation into the trafficking of an M16 rifle taken from an IDF base in northern Israel. August 3, 2026.

Israeli stabbed at Hungary's Ozora music festival, two suspects arrested

In a separate incident, several foreigners, including an Israeli citizen, were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking at the festival and on their way to it.

JULY 30, 2026ByAMIT AVITAN, YOAV ETIEL, MIRIAM SELA-EITAM
The Ozora Festival in Hungary.

Police respond to Ashdod gunfire, seize cocaine and illegal weapons in overnight raids

Early on Thursday morning, police arrested a 45-year-old resident of Holon on suspicion of drug trafficking following a police raid on a warehouse in the city. 

JULY 30, 2026ByMAYA ZANGER-SHAMIR
Police investigate the scene of the crime after a shooting at Ashdod's Troya wedding venue on July 29, 2026.

Over 200 kilograms of drugs seized during police raid on Hod Hasharon plant nursery

A significant portion of the drugs had been hidden inside various food products, including chocolate bars, cookies, and candy, all packaged and prepared for immediate distribution.

JULY 25, 2026ByHODAYA RAN
(Illustrative) Workers working at a cannabis farm in central Israel, on May 5, 2026.

'Killing security officers is a red line': Why Jordan brought back the death penalty

The execution of six men convicted of killing security officers in June signals Amman’s tough new approach to terrorism, drug trafficking, and threats to the kingdom’s stability

JULY 23, 2026ByDANA BEN-SHIMON
King Abdullah II of Jordan. Analysts say that the return of the death penalty is intended to send a clear message of deterrence as the kingdom grapples with multiple internal and external challenges.
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